Trainers to keep on side for Cheltenham's November meeting

The November meeting can be quite a puzzle for punters but there are trainers who operate at an eyecatching rate over the three days. We select six trainers who have proved particularly adept at the meeting over the last ten years.

Harry Fry

The Dorset trainer has enjoyed success at Cheltenham, most notably with the likes of Unowhatimeanharry and Rock On Ruby, but his strike-rate at the November meeting is especially striking.

With four winners from 13 runners, a strike-rate of 30 per cent, it is a profitable time to catch Fry's runners. The Grade 1-winning trainer has saddled a winner at the meeting every year from 2014 to 2017, most recently with Melrose Boy, and he could be solely represented this time by Ishkhara Lady in Saturday's Listed mares' bumper.

Neil Mulholland

Mulholland is another trainer who has a healthy strike-rate at Prestbury Park's second meeting of the season. Four winners (and five seconds) from 20 runners has produced a 20 per cent strike-rate for the Wiltshire-based trainer, including two Graded strikes with the likes of Midnight Chase and Shantou Village.

Philip Hobbs

Hobbs has sent out winners consistently at the meeting and has proved a good source of profit in Graded contests in particular.

A strike-rate of almost 18 per cent is just part of the story as he has sent out at least one winner each season since 2011. There is plenty to suggest the Somerset trainer will return to the winner's enclosure this weekend with the likes of Defi Du Seuil and Springtown Lake engaged in big-race contests.

Paul Nicholls

The reigning champion trainer is one of the more obvious names on the list but with good reason. Nicholls has saddled 27 winners from 152 runners, a strike-rate of nearly 18 per cent, and his record in the novice contests is particularly striking.

Getaway Trump (left): an intriguing novice chase prospect for NichollsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Five of his last seven wins at the meeting came in novice races, including Ibis Du Rheu in last year's mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase, and he could again hold a strong hand in that department with Getaway Trump and Triumph Hurdle sixth Ecco among his potential runners.

David Pipe

Pipe perhaps lacks the horsepower of Nicholls but it is fair to say the Grand National-winning trainer more than holds his own at the November meeting.

With 21 winners from 121 runners, Pipe has consistently produced winners, including big-race triumphs in the 2013 Greatwood Hurdle with Dell' Arca and, more recently, the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle with the talented but fragile Moon Racer in 2016.

Fergal O'Brien

The in-form trainer saddled a treble at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting last month and his string could not be in better condition ahead of the weekend.

Coolanly: one of two winners for Fergal O'Brien at the 2018 November meetingCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

His two victories last year with Coolanly and Red Hot Chilly added to his burgeoning strike-rate of 14 per cent, and that could be boosted with the likes of Aye Aye Charlie and Perfect Candidate among his potential runners. Dismiss O'Brien's November meeting runners at your peril.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com